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Call us 9755 7700 or 0412 117 050
Gum Treatment
(Periodontics)
We can help keep your gums and the bone that surround your teeth healthy and beautiful
Our Periodontal (Gum) Services
Scaling and Cleaning
Calculus (calcified plaque) and plaque (bacteria) around teeth can irritate the gums to cause swelling and bleeding (gingivitis). We can help gently and effectively remove the buildup around the gum and access difficult to reach areas that you may not be aware of to allow your gums to heal.
Debridement (deep cleaning)
Periodontitis is an often chronic gum disease with extensive buildup of bacteria. The bacteria can push its way between the tooth and gum, causing the gums to peel away from the tooth. This infection can dissolve the jawbone supporting the tooth, making the tooth wobbly and difficult to eat with. Our experienced clinicians can help to thoroughly remove the infection deep under the gums and monitor your gum health with regular cleaning appointments to prevent further gum and bone loss.
Our knowledgable clinicians can provide a tailored treatment plan to maintain the health of your gums and surrounding bone.
Gum Disease Common Signs and Symptoms
Gum disease can be present without symptoms or pain, but often one or a combination of the following will occur. If you notice any of the following, it is best to book an appointment with one of our attentive clinicians for an assessment.
Swollen, Flappy Gums: Gums look puffy or overgrown around the teeth, may pull away easily.
Gums Receding: Gaps between teeth are bigger. Teeth appear longer over time.
Loose (mobile) Adult Teeth: Bone and gums that usually support and surround the teeth disappear.
Bleeding: Is not normal, it's a sign the gums are distressed. It can happen when eating, brushing or overnight.
Bad Breath: Plaque and bacteria can emit a foul smell that can linger for days or months.
Sensitivity: With hot, cold or sweet food and drink. Comes and goes as the disease worsens.
Yellow Pus: For more severe cases, a yellow sticky liquid can come from the infection area.
Aching when Eating: Aching pain can occur from loose teeth as well as from the pressure caused by swelling in the area.
Regular appointments with a dental clinician is the best way to check for any signs of gum disease and address them sooner. Signs and symptoms of gum disease are checked at every one of our regular checkup appointments.
At 7 Day Dentists we can determine the reason why the gums are presenting with these conditions and help find the solution that is most beneficial for your situation
Effects of Untreated Gum Disease
Gingivitis is an infection confined to the gums only. Usually there is swelling, bleeding and mild discomfort. When it affects the gum around an impacted or growing tooth it can become very painful especially if accidentally chewed on. It is easily reversible with a professional clean and an effective daily oral hygiene routine. It usually takes about 2-3weeks for the infection to resolve if the gums are properly taken care of.
Periodontitis is a more complex disease. The infection spreads beyond the gums affecting the area surrounding the tooth (periodontal support). This includes jawbone and ligaments that attach our tooth the bone. The jawbone provides support for the tooth to stay upright and functional. The ligaments help anchor the tooth into the jawbone to prevent it from falling out. Over time the infection destroys the periodontal supports leading to receding gums and loose teeth. If there is not enough periodontal support left for the tooth, it is likely the tooth will need to be removed to avoid further complications.
Loose teeth and receding gums are not a normal part of ageing
This is a sign of disease and should be treated as soon as possible
Our experienced clinicians can help you stop your gums and bone
from dissolving further
Appointments for Gum Treatment
A simple scale and clean can usually be completed in one appointment, but multiple may be required if there is a significant amount of hard calculus build up. Debridement takes a minimum of two appointments as the procedure is more complex and requires more time to thoroughly record the condition of the gums and complete the scaling.
X-rays are usually taken before debridement to check the jawbone level and to find any abnormalities that may affect the treatment outcome. Other diagnostic tests may be done beforehand as well to make sure the treatment is suitable for the teeth.
Local anaesthetic can be provided for pain relief, especially where the infection is more severe and sensitive.
Maintaining Our Gum Health
If we can keep the plaque and bacteria under control every day then there is a better chance for the gums and bone to heal as well as prevent the disease from happening again.
Brushing correctly twice a day and cleaning between teeth at least once daily is the best way to take care of our teeth and gums. Limiting sugary and acidic foods will slow down the damage from plaque. Drinking water after every meal and snack to wash away the sugar and food debris will help too. Book in regularly to see our dental clinicians to check the healing of the gums to ensure they have not relapsed and continued to deteriorate.
You can visit our page Home Oral Habits for more information about home care tools and techniques and healthy diets.
Inspiration for Your Smile!
Contact our friendly team to learn more about how we can help you achieve healthy, beautiful gums. You can find our phone number and address at the top and bottom of the webpage.
If you would like more information about gum disease, please book to talk our knowledgeable clinicians. In the meantime, visit our page Gum Disease to learn more about oral health. To see more of the other services that we offer visit our page Our Services to know more.